
Republic of Ireland 4 - 0 Qatar

Callum Robinson continued his rich reign of form scoring his first international hat-trick while Shane Duffy added a fourth to net his third goal in four games.
This was the Republic of Ireland's first back to back win since 2019. There were five changes for Ireland with Kelleher, Stevens, Hourihane, Ogbene, McGrath coming in to replace Bazunu, McClean, Cullen, Idah, Horgan.
Ireland got off to the perfect start with a goal from their first attack, Callum Robinson collected the ball on the edge of the area and curled a well-taken effort past Barsham to open the scoring.
Ireland continued to attack and got their second after Jamie McGrath after working his way into the area was felled by Alrawi and the referee awarded Ireland a penalty. Robinson stepped up and despatched the penalty sending Barsham the wrong way.
John Egan had two great chances to add further goals to Ireland’s tally with a series of headers but both just went over the bar. Chiedozie Ogbene had the next attempt on goal for Ireland but his powerful had beaten Barsham but the crossbar denies him.
Robinson grabbed his third goal early in the second half as an excellent pass from Jeff Hendrick was met by Robinson and saw him strike a low effort to earn the match ball.
Ireland added a fourth as Shane Duffy headed past Barsham from a Conour Hourihane corner.
Jeff Hendrick almost added a fifth goal near the end of the match however his effort went over the bar.
This was an impressive display from Stephen Kenny’s men that sets them up nicely for the next home match against Portugal next month.
Ireland: Kelleher (GK), Doherty (Christie 46), Stevens, Duffy (N. Collins 76), Egan, Robinson (Parrott 76), Hourihane (Arter 87), Hendrick, McGrath (J. Collins 87), Omobamidele, Ogbene (Knight 68).
Subs not used: Bazunu (GK), Travers (GK), Idah, McClean, Horgan, Connolly
Qatar: Barsham (GK), Miguel, Hassan, Salman, Hatim (Madibo 72), Alhaydos, Afif, Boudiaf, Elamin, Alrawi, Ali (Alaaeldin 72)
Subs not used: Alsheeb (GK), S. Hassan (GK), Fathi, Asadalla, Abdurisag, Khidir, Maarafiya, Mohamed, Al-Barik, Alahrak, Booked: None Sent off: None Referee: Keith Kennedy
Ireland come into the game on the back of an impressive 3-0 victory over Azerbaijan at the Baku Olympic Stadium, Baku.
Goals from Callum Robinson (2) and Chiedozie Ogbene sealed an important victory as Stephen Kenny's side look to make it back-to-back victories tomorrow night.
Match Details
Fixture: Republic of Ireland v Qatar
Competition: FIFA 2022 World Cup Preparation Match
Stadium: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Kick-off: 7.45pm
TV: RTE & Sky Sports
Match Officials
Referee: Keith Kennedy (NIR)
Assistant 1: Gareth Eakin (NIR)
Assistant 2: Andrew Nethery (NIR)
Fourth Official: Ian McNabb (NIR)
Republic of Ireland v Qatar - Opta Stats
- This is only the second meeting between the Republic of Ireland and Qatar, drawing 1-1 at the Nagyerdei Stadium in Hungary this year.
- The Republic of Ireland have won four of their last five home friendly matches (D1), winning their last two against Bulgaria in September 2019 and New Zealand in November 2019.
- Qatar are without a win in five matches in all competitions (D1 L4) since beating El Salvador 3-2 in July.
- Republic of Ireland are winless in seven home matches in all competitions (D5 L2), their longest such run since May 1971 (12 games).
- Republic of Ireland’s Callum Robinson scored a brace against Azerbaijan last time out, this after having only scored once in his first 20 senior international appearances for the nation beforehand. The last player to score in back-to-back appearances for the Republic of Ireland was Jonathan Walters in 2017.
Team News
Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is set for his first start whilst Josh Cullen and Daryl Horgan remain doubtful following the Azerbaijan match.
What he said - Manager Stephen Kenny
"Caoimhin is a real natural goalkeeper, a terrific talent, he played ten times for me as Ireland U-21 manager and I'm well aware of his qualities.
"He was just unfortunate the last season when he was injured and that opened the door in March for Gavin Bazunu who has been terrific.
"He (Kelleher) made his debut at half-time in the game against Hungary, this is his first start tomorrow in front of the home crowd and he deserves it."
Watch the full press conference on FAI TV here
What he said - Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher
"I think hopefully I’ll get the opportunity tomorrow, it would be nice to get a first start for Ireland.
"I’ve a good few family coming up to watch the game. In front of the home fans to make my first start would be a special and proud moment for me.
"Gavin has been brilliant in goal and it's brilliant to see. We work as a group and support everything each other does so it has been brilliant to see him do so well."
Watch the full press conference on FAI TV here
Republic of Ireland Squad / v Qatar
Goalkeepers: Gavin Bazunu (Portsmouth, on loan from Manchester City), Caoimhin Kelleher (Liverpool), Mark Travers (AFC Bournemouth).
Defenders: Matt Doherty (Tottenham Hotspur), Cyrus Christie (Fulham), Shane Duffy (Brighton and Hove Albion), John Egan (Sheffield United), Enda Stevens (Sheffield United), James McClean (Wigan Athletic), Andrew Omobamidele (Norwich City), Nathan Collins (Burnley), Liam Scales (Celtic).
Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick (Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa), Harry Arter (Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath (St. Mirren), Jason Knight (Derby County).
Attackers: Callum Robinson (West Bromwich Albion), Aaron Connolly (Brighton and Hove Albion), James Collins (Cardiff City), Daryl Horgan (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Idah (Norwich City), Troy Parrott (MK Dons, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Will Keane (Wigan Athletic), Chiedozie Ogbene (Rotherham United).
The tickets are priced at a Centenary Special price of just €20 for adults and €10 for children for the match on Tuesday, October 12, with kick-off at 7.45pm.
Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland are set to wear the limited-edition Centenary jersey, created by Umbro, against Qatar as part of the #WeAre100 FAI Centenary celebrations.
Ireland legend Paul McGrath speaking at the Aviva Stadium to promote the fixture has called on the Irish support to get behind the team as they look to secure an important home win.
"I think we've seen a few of the young players coming through now and they're going to be real assets for us in the future," said Paul McGrath.
"The Irish support will get fired up for us because we need a win and the Irish support will be crucial in willing us on to get that result on the night.
"Every match matters at international level as we look progress towards tournaments in the future and the match against Qatar is another match for these players to show what they can do."
Ireland are set to travel to Baku, Azerbaijan for a FIFA 2022 World Cup qualifier on Saturday, October 9 before returning to Dublin for the international friendly with the squad for the double-header set to be announced on Thursday, October 30.
Tickets are now available to purchase from Ticketmaster with Premium Level tickets available for €85 for the international friendly at the Aviva Stadium.
You can get your tickets for the match against Qatar here.